Power Of Attorney Or Not?

[annieigma]

Hi,
My mother is in a care home, been there two weeks, she has confirmed dementia, been going that way for several years, now no longer able to cope. i have received the first bill from the care home and need to pay it. she has a nationwide account on which she made me second a signature person several years ago, but I have never had reason to use it, although i do online banking when she gets a bill and can access Her account online.. If I go to the nationwide tomorrow and explain the situation, will I be able to request a debit card on the account so i can pay Her bills, or do I need to get a doctors certificate of Her illness and inability to manage her own affairs and apply for power of attorney?.
Thanks,
Annie.

[boxtops]

It would be best, IMO, if you went down the legal route of POA at this stage, while your mother is still able to give her consent. That would enable you to manage other matters, too.

You'd need to go to the bank, as you suggest, and suggest a card - but they might want her signature too, as she's the principal account holder.

[murraymints]

If you are already nominated as second signatory you ought to be ok....your mother may not be able to grant a poa now if she is considered to no longer be of sound mind....you will have to be granted guardianship...things differ from Scotland to England so best ask solicitor

[woofgang]

I think you are a bit past POA if her dementia is so bad that she is in res care. If you can access her account online then can you do an electronic funds transfer to the res care's account?

[annieigma]

Thanks for the replies. I can access the account, but if i try to transfer money it requires Her card to be put into the reader and the code numbers entered, and, as the card has gone awol, same as her keys etc. its a problem. but, i have realised that i can write myself a cheque for the care home fee on Her cheque book and put it into my account, which will overcome the initial problem, although i could also pay it from my own bank account, but it might get complicated. i must add, that the care home does not accept cheques, which is a real pest.
Annie.

[woofgang]

where have her card and keys gone awol? Do you need to do things like cancel the card and change locks?

[Hymie]

I would get your local NHS to assess your mother for NHS Continuing Healthcare. If she qualifies, then the NHS will pay all cost associated with your mum’s stay in the care home.

Search on-line, there is loads of information about NHS Continuing Healthcare, and whether your mother is likely to qualify based on her state of health.